by Bill Seals
After committing to the Cyclones last July, an in-state prospect has been able to enjoy being a multi-sport athlete without stressing about his football recruitment.
Central Decatur junior Cole Pedersen, who competed on his school’s basketball team last winter, is in Des Moines this week for the state track meet, as he qualified for three individual competitions and with a relay squad.
However, playing multiple sports hasn’t taken away from Pedersen staying in steady contact with Iowa State coaches and taking a visit to Ames last month.
“I went up to one of their practices near the end of spring ball and it was really good,” said Pedersen, who this week is competing in the long jump, shuttle hurdle relay, high hurdles and 4x100m relay.
“I went to one of their position meetings and then came down to watch the linebackers and all the drills they went through. I liked watching how they interact with the rest of the defense and make it a working part. They worked up to it the whole night long to be able to work as one defense.”
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Pedersen is also getting a crash course on playing linebacker at the next level…a position he’s unfamiliar with from competing in high school. His latest visit gave him a glimpse at how position coach Tyson Veidt works with his group.
“He expects something out of them and does a really good job,” Pedersen said. “I love how he interacts with his guys and holds them to a really good standard. He’s not afraid to tell you what you did wrong and you’d better fix it. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
A three-star recruit with a 5.6 Rivals rating, Pedersen is classified as an outside linebacker in the database. That’s likely an accurate assessment, although the junior said he hasn’t gotten a definite answer on where he’ll play in Ames.
“They haven’t really told me exactly where they want me,” he said. “Just linebacker for right now. They’re probably thinking more outside, but haven’t told me what specific linebacker to watch. I’m really excited to get started up there and be a part of it.”
Pedersen’s next crash course in being a Power-5 linebacker will come next month, once track season is in the rearview mirror.
“I’m coming up to the two Saturday Night Lights camps and will be participating in them,” he said. “I want to learn the fundamentals of playing the position. It’s still not my first position and I haven’t played it a whole lot. My team hasn’t needed me there yet, since I’ve been playing quarterback and defensive end. I need to get better at everything linebacker and I’ve been working on it. Hopefully they like what they see.”
After committing to the Cyclones last July, an in-state prospect has been able to enjoy being a multi-sport athlete without stressing about his football recruitment.
Central Decatur junior Cole Pedersen, who competed on his school’s basketball team last winter, is in Des Moines this week for the state track meet, as he qualified for three individual competitions and with a relay squad.
However, playing multiple sports hasn’t taken away from Pedersen staying in steady contact with Iowa State coaches and taking a visit to Ames last month.
“I went up to one of their practices near the end of spring ball and it was really good,” said Pedersen, who this week is competing in the long jump, shuttle hurdle relay, high hurdles and 4x100m relay.
“I went to one of their position meetings and then came down to watch the linebackers and all the drills they went through. I liked watching how they interact with the rest of the defense and make it a working part. They worked up to it the whole night long to be able to work as one defense.”
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Pedersen is also getting a crash course on playing linebacker at the next level…a position he’s unfamiliar with from competing in high school. His latest visit gave him a glimpse at how position coach Tyson Veidt works with his group.
“He expects something out of them and does a really good job,” Pedersen said. “I love how he interacts with his guys and holds them to a really good standard. He’s not afraid to tell you what you did wrong and you’d better fix it. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
A three-star recruit with a 5.6 Rivals rating, Pedersen is classified as an outside linebacker in the database. That’s likely an accurate assessment, although the junior said he hasn’t gotten a definite answer on where he’ll play in Ames.
“They haven’t really told me exactly where they want me,” he said. “Just linebacker for right now. They’re probably thinking more outside, but haven’t told me what specific linebacker to watch. I’m really excited to get started up there and be a part of it.”
Pedersen’s next crash course in being a Power-5 linebacker will come next month, once track season is in the rearview mirror.
“I’m coming up to the two Saturday Night Lights camps and will be participating in them,” he said. “I want to learn the fundamentals of playing the position. It’s still not my first position and I haven’t played it a whole lot. My team hasn’t needed me there yet, since I’ve been playing quarterback and defensive end. I need to get better at everything linebacker and I’ve been working on it. Hopefully they like what they see.”
